‘No doubt’ inflation is moderating: finance minister
Much is riding on quarterly inflation data out next week as Australia's slow progress by international standards has Labor defending its economic record.
economy (general)
Labour shortages still ‘number one’ concern: RBA
Firms are struggling to retain workers as activity from mining, infrastructure projects and even the 2032 Brisbane Olympics keeps demand for labour high.
It’s not you: banking outages are taking longer to fix
Digital payment services are under increasing pressure as Aussies ditch cash and they are mostly rising to the task, a Reserve Bank report has found.
Supermarkets tight-lipped on Tim Tam price discrepancy
Australia's major supermarkets say their suppliers are being hit by inflation which is trickling through to prices at the checkout.
Rental crisis is everywhere, dire for essential workers
The rental crisis is now in every community, as the nation's essential workers struggle to find affordable homes to rent and monthly dwelling approvals drop.
Green ideals meet hip-pocket pain as power prices surge
Young Australians are most likely to pay a premium to access renewable energy at home, a study has found, but high energy prices are turning off others.
Hybrid vehicles in fast lane, as petrol cars slow down
Australians are buying fewer new cars as the economy bites but hybrid vehicles are bucking the trend, sales figures have revealed.
Million-dollar madness: record suburbs in seven figures
More suburbs than ever have median house or unit prices of more than $1 million, with economists predicting the number will continue to grow.
Bigger budget surplus not ‘an end in itself’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says a better-than-expected $15.8 billion budget surplus doesn't mean cost-of-living measures have been forgotten.
War of words over inflation as national debt dives
Australia lags behind western nations in tackling inflation, the shadow treasurer says, as the Reserve Bank mulls whether to lower interest rates.
Labor, expert lash ‘crazy’ call to step in over rates
Calls for Canberra to intervene with the Reserve Bank to lower interest rates to get financial reforms over the line have been rejected by Labor.
Cost of living puts the brakes on new vehicle sales
Vehicle sales have slowed down in Australia, with passenger and petrol cars taking significant hits, but the industry says it is still a "positive result".
Fading economy yet to unlock rate cuts for watchful RBA
The economy might be slowing but the Reserve Bank chief wants inflation to moderate further before opening the door to interest rate cuts.
Rising livestock prices behind agricultural growth
Rising red meat prices and strong seasonal conditions are driving growth, with agricultural production expected to hit $86 billion this financial year.
‘Let me out’: Aussies need help with subscription traps
Most Australians have struggled to cancel a subscription and some have given up entirely, a report has warned amid calls for legal reforms.
Australia’s Silicon Valley wins over cashed-up firms
Big-name firms including Afterpay and Cash App are moving into a precinct designated as a hub for Australian technology innovation.
Hey big spender: home prices soar in Olympics host city
The launch of an eye-watering penthouse development targeting ultra-wealthy buyers is a sign of the times in one of Australia's hottest real estate markets.
Amazon tests AI for audiobooks but new rules are coming
Amazon is testing AI-generated voices for audiobooks in the absence of guidance, its executives say, as government officials reveal AI rules are in the works.
50c fare trial produces near pre-pandemic patronage
Commuters have jumped on a six-month trial of near-free public transport fares with patronage levels close to pre-pandemic levels.
Cybersecurity worker shortage could put Aussies at risk
Australia does not have enough cybersecurity specialists to protect consumers from further data breaches, a report warns, amid calls for greater training.
Beware of economic ‘false prophets’, warns Reserve Bank
Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser says projecting future movements in the economy is inherently uncertain and overconfidence is a red flag.
Budgets running on fumes as car costs outpace inflation
Transport is becoming an even bigger household expense, with research showing costs grew by more than 10 per cent over the past year.
Price cuts may recharge Aussie electric vehicle market
Some of Australia's biggest electric vehicle brands have cut the price of their models, with one setting a record cost for low-emission cars.
Door swings shut on rate rise following inflation data
Australia's inflation rate has clocked its first annual increase in 18 months but borrowers can breath easy as it was unlikely to trigger another rate hike.
Industry calls for $3b fund to clean dirty big trucks
A big investment will be needed to put more heavy-duty electric trucks on the road, an industry group says, as well as changes to support cleaner fuel.
Baby drought as house prices push parents out of cities
Australians are having less babies and the fertility plunge is being blamed on high housing costs with analysis showing parents are being pushed to the fringes.
Online shopping spree despite cost-of-living crisis
Australians are still turning to online retail therapy despite household spending slowing due to cost-of-living pressures.
Calls for law as AI rogues plunder Australian creatives
One actor's voice was cloned after producers cancelled his contract while another's was used in a pornographic ad without her consent, an AI inquiry has heard.
‘Whole series of data’ before next rates call: RBA
The Reserve Bank's outlook on inflation is little changed and more data is needed to build a fuller picture of the economy, the deputy governor says.
Nine to cull 200 jobs in latest mass media lay-offs
The publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age plans to trim its staff by about four per cent after Meta declined to renew a lucrative content deal.
Premier to pocket $500,000 as MPs handed 3.5pc pay bump
Victorian MPs have been handed a 3.5 per cent salary bump, lifting Premier Jacinta Allan's pay package close to $500,000 a year.